Friday, February 19, 2010

"My feeling for [the theatre] hasn't changed. But my feeling is for the memories. I hate how casual it is now. I loved the specialness of going to a Broadway show, the sense of a big treat that you dressed up for. Popcorn is OK for the movies, but for the theater it should be pearls."

3 comments:

I agree 100% The Theater is an experience at least for me, to be savoured in all aspects. From looking your best, a fine dinner and wine, and then glamour. You're showing your respect to the actors as well when you dress for the occassion. I hate this casual fad, there is no place for it at the theater.

Hi Alfredo, I'm agree with Marta (¡hola Marta!). I wen't to se the Liza's last concert two summers ago in Madrid. The concert was open air in the patio of a XVII palace. I was wearing a summer suit, not tie, but a suit. She was Liza Minnelli! Everybody were wearing t shirts and jeans. Even bermudas trousers and flip flops. I felt myself ridiculous!

ALFREDO'S JUKEBOX

FOLLOWERS

MY BOOKS

The History of Love, Bel Canto, 9 Stories by J.D. Salinger, Mr. Bedord and the Muses, Sister Carrie, Tick-Tock, The Season, The Hours, An American Tragedy, Living Well is the Best Revenge, Our Lady of the Lost and Found, 84 Charring Cross Road, Act One, Dancing with the Devil, Familiar Spirits, Love in the Time of Cholera, The Pursuit of Love, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, The Principles of Uncertainty, Cakes and Ale

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE STARS

MARY ASTOR - Like so many women of that era (and the era really covered a lot of ground, from the 30s through the 60s) could and did play any part with forthright assurance, style and damned good acting. From the shrewish Brigid O'Shaugnassy in THE MALTESE FALCON to the wordly and serene Edith Cortrigh in DODSWORTH to the Auntie Mame-like society manhunter in THE PALM BEACH STORY to the stark and truly terrifying Roberta Carter in RETURN TO PEYTON PLACE (Oscar nomination,) Astor, like Irene Dunne (soon to appear in these pages) could do it all and, as with Dunn, no matter what the part, a shinning intelligence came through.

VIVIEN LEIGH – A superb technician and a great beauty. The heartbreak in her eyes and her voice were there from the start and they only became more poignant as she aged. There may not be a more idiosyncratic match of star and role in anyone's career than Vivien Leigh's, who, deliberatly or not, became the spokeswoman for the fragile, shopworn angel, though still smoldering with longing and lust.